Surfing Temae: The Complete Guide

Temae is a reef break located in Moorea, French Polynesia, offering a right-hander along French Polynesia's coastline. Temae is Moorea's most challenging wave—a fierce right-hander breaking over shallow reef in one of the world's most beautiful settings. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is S (180°), with workable conditions from SSE to SSW (150°–210°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Temae needs a minimum of 0.8m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2m / 7ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the SW (225°). The full offshore range spans S to W (190°–260°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid to high tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–1.5m. Avoid surfing when the tide drops below 0.3m — it becomes dangerously shallow.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Temae runs April, May, June, July, August, September (Apr–Sep). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Autumn/Winter best. April often cleanest.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 27°C / 81°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is MOZ, just a quick 10-minute drive from the break. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $50 USD.

Access: 15-20 min paddle or short boat ride from Temae Beach.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity
⚠️ Shallow — Very shallow at low tide

Shallow reef. Fire coral and sharks present.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (7/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Temae? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Temae is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*